Pakistan Oxidised uranium mineralisation has been found in the Manchar formation in Sindh for the first time which, along with other favourable indicators, is a “significant development”, making it a prime target for uranium exploration.
Assay of selected samples showed uranium values up to 4.5% U3O8. This followed detailed geological studies carried out by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) scientists in the area. Manchar formation had attracted little attention due to inhospitable working conditions and the failure of earlier aero-radiometric surveys to detect anomalous radioactivity. Six major uranium deposits were located in the lower Manchar formation in the Wahi Pandi, Karunak and Rehman Dhora regions.
Meanwhile, preliminary exploratory drilling has indicated that there is a sizeable uranium ore deposit at Shanawah in the North West Frontier Province, where continuity of uranium ore was proved over a strike length of 2km. A total of 32 boreholes to a cumulative depth of 9329m were drilled. Ore seams as thick as 17m were discovered, with an average thickness of 10m. The average ore grade is 0.05% U3O8.
